Thriving at Edward Jones, Featuring Edward Jones Financial Advisor Troy Nelson

Every financial advisor wants to help clients achieve their goals and build a thriving practice, but a firm’s purpose and culture can determine whether a financial advisor can succeed in these pursuits.

At Edward Jones we’ve created a community and support system that is designed to help every financial advisor grow their practice and develop personally. We’re proud to provide every financial advisor with the resources we believe they need to succeed.

But what does that look like in practice? I had the chance to speak with Financial Advisor Troy Nelson about our culture, his purpose and how both have helped him build an Edward Jones practice that manages $1.2 billion in assets with clients in 30 states.

Keep reading to learn more about his keys to success.

David: Thanks for making time to speak with me, Troy. Let’s start at the beginning. How did you become an Edward Jones financial advisor?

Troy: So great speaking with you, David. Always appreciate the chance to connect with our Home Office leaders. Growing up I was really inspired by my dad, who trained financial advisors at a few different firms about complex estate planning matters. Investing was always a topic at the dinner table, and I was interested in the markets from a young age.

After studying finance in college, I applied to be a financial advisor several places, but Edward Jones was my first choice. I still remember the day I got that “we regret to inform you” letter from the firm. I was so dejected, but realized they had it all wrong. They just needed to know me better. The recruiter’s phone number was on the letter, so I called her up and respectfully explained all the reasons I was going to make a difference in people’s lives.

The recruiter was impressed with my perseverance, and I was welcomed into the hiring process. The rest is history.

I started my practice with no assets in North Dakota. Today, Nelson Wealth Management is a team of ten.

David: That’s an incredible story, Troy. You’ve been so successful here at Edward Jones. What are the qualities of a financial advisor who’s successful at the firm?

Troy: First and foremost, to succeed at Edward Jones, you need to have a deep level of care for the clients you serve. I always say that “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Our culture is one that puts the focus on serving others – we want to leave clients better off than when we found them.

Second, every Edward Jones financial advisor should bring a growth mindset to their practice. They should always want to be a better version of themselves and be curious enough to continually learn.

David: Great insights, especially about learning and development. I’m so proud of the growth resources and ongoing training we provide to every financial advisor in the firm. Experienced financial advisors, like you, are an important part of the support we provide our financial advisors.

You mentor Edward Jones financial advisors and travel around the country to speak. What do you say to those financial advisors?

Troy: A lot of it is telling people about my journey as a financial advisor. Sharing successes and sharing my failures – both personal and business. I hate to admit this, but I have learned more from the valleys than the mountain tops. To be able to communicate that in a real and practical way can help folks avoid the same mistakes and learn from my successes.

It’s also sharing how my role had changed as a financial advisor throughout the years. I used to be a holistic financial problem solver, but now I’m also a much more of a counselor/psychologist/coach to clients. A guide for life’s ups and downs. That helps me know my clients much more deeply.

David: You’re highlighting the nobility of the profession and it’s clear you are purpose-driven in your role. The firm’s purpose — to partner for positive impact, to improve the lives of our clients and colleagues, and communities – drives us all here at Edward Jones. Tell us more about how you live out our purpose in your practice.

Troy: I have a personal mission statement – to use my gift of influence to help leaders grow in emotional health and vulnerability for bigger impact. It’s helped me in so many ways in life in general. When opportunities come at me, I have a filter to run opportunities through.

This not only guides me as I serve clients, but when the firm asked me to become a General Partner, I knew that I could influence financial advisors in the journey to serving clients more completely and help the Home Office know what financial advisors need to be successful.

As a partnership, Edward Jones’ culture is collaborative. So, I can not only be heard by our Home Office, but also dedicate time to mentoring others.

David: We know that our purpose-driven culture is unique and attractive to many in the industry. If someone was considering making a switch to Edward Jones, what would you tell them? Are there certain signs a financial advisor should look for to know it’s time to make a move?

Troy: It really does come down to culture. A financial advisor should ask themselves, is the culture helping or hindering my practice? Do I have the flexibility to serve clients the way I want to? What’s my vision for the future and does it align with my firm’s?

The culture at Edward Jones is all about people who create it. We don’t have just a few great associates; we have a ton. That’s why the culture is unmatched in the industry.

Don’t underestimate the value of our partnership either. We’re the last standing partnership in the industry and that means we collectively share in the success of the firm, which is really unique.

David: One last question. What’s one thing you would tell a financial advisor who is considering joining Edward Jones?

Troy: You can do everything you’re doing for clients today at Edward Jones, but also enjoy unmatched culture and you get to share in the success. When you have everything else, plus culture, it’s unmatched.

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A big thank you to Troy for sharing his experiences and insights. It’s inspiring to hear how his purpose and our culture are driving his success.

If you’re seeking a more purpose-driven culture in which to build your practice, consider Edward Jones.

Interested in the Edward Jones Financial Advisor Opportunity?

If you’re already licensed as a financial advisor, learn how we’re built to take your practice to the next level.